One Word – Cleanse
I am wondering whether you have:
- made new year’s resolutions and
- by the last week of January stuck to all of them?
Last year, I remember berating myself for getting to February and discovering I had already fallen off the resolution band wagon, as it were!
This year, I am determined to do it differently. I heard, and statistics differ, but it is estimated that only 8% of us end up keeping our new year’s resolutions – so, how can we work to start each new year with our best foot forward, and keep it that way?
I came across a concept – not a new concept (my research has found references back to 2009) – of the One Word. There are books, YouTube videos, websites, the works – I have detailed some resources at the end of this blog! The idea is simple; you set an intention for the year that is epitomised into One Word, and you then focus on this word daily. I am a big one for daily habits; integrating new practices into existing habits so that they come part of “the way I or we do things around here.”
In Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen’s book called MY ONE WORD, they say:
“It’s okay to want to be a better you, and the New Year is a natural time to start. The question is how? MY ONE WORD replaces broken promises with a vision for real change. When you choose a single word, you have a clarity and focus. You are moving toward the future rather than swearing off the past.”
“One word you can focus on every day, all year long… One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. It will take intentionality and commitment, but if you let it, your one word will shape not only your year, but also you. It will become the compass that directs your decisions and guides your steps.”
So, what is the process for choosing your One Word?
Take some time to prepare yourself – allow yourself the time and space to tap into the wisdom of your body, perhaps go for a walk, sit quietly without any electrical equipment, ask yourself what is really important to you – what do you want to be, do, have more of in your life?
Now listen to the answers:
- What sort of person do you want to be this year?
- What sort of year do you want 2025 to be?
- What are the characteristics of this person and this year?
- What word captures this?
Once you have the word that is meant for you in 2025, it’s time to live it. Keep your word front and centre. Identify 3 things you will do as regular reminders of your word. Share your word with others – invite 3 people to encourage and challenge you to live your word.
Use your word in 2025:
- as a lens to provide laser-like focus and way to live with purpose, passion and power
- to guide how you are rather than what you do
- to live with intentionality and commitment
- as an influence in all areas of life – spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, relational, financial
- when experiencing challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow
- to influence others in a positive way
- to celebrate everything you experience, learn and discover
- to become the person you are meant to be
- to leave the legacy you are meant to leave
- as a filter to review 2025.
This concept easily translates to a business context. This time next year, when you look back and assess your performance against your strategic priorities, what end result do you hope to accomplish?
What one word describes it best?
- Creativity?
- Innovation?
- Discipline?
- Compassion?
- Engagement?
Could you rally your team around this?
And finally, I want to share my One Word with you – Cleanse – my mind, my body, my house, my training room files – the list goes on!
I am curious what your One Word might be, please do let me know!
Here are some of the resources I mentioned:
Comments (0)